# Not All Collagen is Created Equal: Why Size Matters for Your Dog's Joints > Table of Contents Why is Collagen Important for Dogs? Why Doesn't Native Collagen Work? What is Hydrolysis and How Does It Help? What is the Optimal Mol... --- **Published:** January 15, 2026 | **Author:** Sensopet Team **Tags:** canine arthritis, cartilage repair dogs, collagen dogs UK, dog joint supplements, hydrolysed collagen, joint health dogs, Joint Supreme, molecular weight collagen --- --- ## Table of Contents - Why is Collagen Important for Dogs? - Why Doesn't Native Collagen Work? - What is Hydrolysis and How Does It Help? - What is the Optimal Molecular Weight? - How Do Collagen Peptides Signal Repair? - What Makes Joint Supreme Different? --- Collagen has become a buzzword in the world of joint health, and for good reason. It's the primary structural protein in your dog's cartilage, tendons, and ligaments - the very "scaffolding" that keeps their joints strong and flexible. Yet, simply adding any collagen to a supplement is not enough. The effectiveness of a collagen supplement hinges on a crucial, often overlooked detail: its **molecular weight**. --- ## Why is Collagen Important for Dogs? Collagen makes up approximately **70-90% of the dry weight of cartilage**. It provides the structural framework that gives joints their strength, flexibility, and cushioning ability. As dogs age or experience joint stress, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to: - **Cartilage degradation** - loss of cushioning between bones - **Joint stiffness** - reduced flexibility and mobility - **Discomfort** - particularly after exercise or rest - **Reduced activity** - reluctance to run, jump, or climb Supplementing with the right type of collagen can help support cartilage maintenance and repair. --- ## Why Doesn't Native Collagen Work? Imagine trying to push a football through a keyhole. It simply won't fit. This is the challenge your dog's body faces when it tries to absorb "native" or "undenatured" collagen in its large, complex, triple-helix form. The molecules are far too big to pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream where they can be used. Most of it simply **passes through the digestive system, offering very little benefit**. To be effective, this large collagen molecule must be broken down into much smaller, more usable pieces. This is where the science of **hydrolysis** comes in. --- ## What is Hydrolysis and How Does It Help? Hydrolysis is a process that uses **specific enzymes** to carefully snip the large collagen molecules into smaller chains called **peptides**. Think of it as cutting a long rope into manageable pieces. But here's the critical part: **the size of these peptides makes all the difference**. ### The Hydrolysis Process - **Step 1:** Large collagen molecules are exposed to specific enzymes - **Step 2:** Enzymes break peptide bonds at precise locations - **Step 3:** Smaller, bioavailable peptide chains are produced - **Step 4:** The resulting peptides can be absorbed through the gut wall --- ## What is the Optimal Molecular Weight? Scientific research has identified a "sweet spot" for optimal absorption and biological activity: - **Too large** (>10,000 Daltons) - Difficult to absorb, poor bioavailability - **Too small** (<500 Daltons) - May lose bioactive signalling ability - **Optimal** (~2,000 Daltons) - Perfect balance of absorption and activity Studies published in the Journal of Functional Foods have shown that collagen peptides with a molecular weight of around **2000 Daltons (2kDa)** are the gold standard. They are small enough to be efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream, yet they retain the specific bioactive sequences that act as powerful messengers. --- ## How Do Collagen Peptides Signal Repair? Here's where the science becomes truly fascinating. The right-sized collagen peptides don't just provide building blocks - they **actively signal your dog's cells to begin repair**. ### The Signalling Process - **Absorption:** 2kDa peptides pass through the intestinal wall - **Circulation:** They travel via the bloodstream to joint tissues - **Recognition:** Cartilage cells (chondrocytes) detect the peptides - **Activation:** Chondrocytes receive the signal to produce more collagen - **Repair:** The body's own repair mechanisms are switched on In short, they don't just provide the building blocks; **they actively switch on the body's own repair mechanisms**. --- ## What Makes Joint Supreme Different? When we formulated **Joint Supreme**, we refused to compromise. We knew that simply including "collagen" on the label wasn't good enough. We sourced a premium, multi-source **hydrolysed collagen matrix** with a precise mean molecular weight of **2000 Daltons**. ### Joint Supreme's Collagen Advantage - **Maximally Bioavailable:** Efficiently absorbed and delivered to joint tissues - **Biologically Active:** Actively signals cartilage cells to begin repair - **Multi-Source Matrix:** Diverse collagen types for comprehensive support - **Grounded in Evidence:** Efficacy supported by molecular weight research --- ## Give Your Dog the Right Collagen Your dog deserves a joint supplement that works on a cellular level. Don't settle for products with generic, ineffective forms of collagen. Choose precision. Choose science. **Joint Supreme** delivers: - Precision 2000 Dalton hydrolysed collagen - Multi-source collagen matrix - UK-formulated and quality-tested - Easy daily scoop for any size dog Discover Joint Supreme --- ## Sources - PMC - Collagen Peptides and Their Biological Activities - PMC - Hydrolyzed Collagen and Osteoarthritis - ScienceDirect - Molecular Weight and Collagen Bioavailability - PMC - Collagen in Joint Health: A Review --- *This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. If your dog is experiencing joint problems or mobility issues, please consult your veterinarian.* --- --- **Related:** [Joint Supreme](/products/joint-supreme) [Biome Vitality](/products/the-biome-vitality) [Balance](/products/senso-balance-blend) *[Sensopet](https://sensopet.co.uk) - Premium dog supplements*